Healthy comfort food! This recipe comes from our “Real Mom” of the season, Registered Dietitian Tara Gidus. Just like a baked potato bar, let the kids add their own toppings for a meal that is fun, delicious and nutritious!
Nothing says warmth and comfort more than potato soup. Try this healthy potato creation, developed by Tara Gidus, RD, who extols the goodness of potatoes. If you require a gluten-free recipe, ensure that the (*) ingredients do not contain gluten.

• 6 medium white potatoes, diced
• 8 ounces (or 2 ½ cups) frozen cauliflower
• 1 head broccoli, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 leek, washed and chopped thinly
• 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon  crushed red pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic, divided
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth*
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 5 ounces reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese*, for topping
• 5 slices center-cut bacon, microwaved and crumbled for topping
• •Chives, chopped for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Fill large pot with potatoes and salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes. When potatoes have finished cooking, drain water and set potatoes aside in bowl or colander.

While potatoes are cooking, line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. To prepare broccoli, remove bottom part of stem, and slice into bite-sized florets leaving an inch of the stem intact. Place broccoli on prepared baking sheet, lightly drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with pinch of salt and ½ teaspoon garlic. Roast in oven for 20 minutes until crispy.

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Sauté leeks, crushed red pepper, and garlic until leeks soften, about 1-2 minutes. Add cauliflower and vegetable stock, increase heat to medium-high and cook until cauliflower is soft. Remove pot from heat, and add potatoes, milk, and ½ teaspoon salt.

Using an immersion blender, (or transfer soup to regular blender), puree soup until smooth and creamy.

To serve, ladle one cup of soup into a bowl and top with cheese, bacon, chives, and roasted broccoli. Enjoy! Makes 10 servings.

Note: Boil or microwave broccoli for the topping if you don’t want to fire up your oven for roasted broccoli.
Calories: 159 Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 10mg Sodium: 530mg Vitamin C: 39mg Carbohydrates: 22g Fiber: 2g Protein: 9g Potassium: 513mg